Earthquake!: A Story of the San Francisco Earthquake (Once Upon America) [Paperback]

Kathleen V. Kudlinski (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Once Upon America

In 1906, after a devastating earthquake hits San Francisco, twelve-year-old Philip struggles to save the horses in his family's livery stable. Reprint. SLJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Phillip MacMillan, 12, wakes with an uneasy sense that something isn't right. He goes to check on the family's livery stable, and within minutes his world turns topsy-turvy. It's the 1906 earthquake and, through Phillip (who stays to care for the horses while his father takes the rest of the family to safety), the reader is there--for the heaving that knocks horses to the ground, for the collapse of his house, for the parade of fleeing, panic-stricken San Franciscans, for the fire, for the bombing intended to stop its spread. Phillip succeeds both as a witness and as a character (he has a way with animals and is the kind of boy who can be trusted with a gun); the immediacy of his experience makes this an exciting historical sidebar. Two caveats: the realism may disturb younger readers; and it's not clear why Phillip's father doesn't take him, and the horses, when he leaves the first time--or why he almost leaves the horses a second time, after Phillip has risked his life for them. Historical note. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 9-12) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140363904
• ISBN-13: 978-0140363906
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Little Book To Bring History Alive, September 29, 2010

By 

Nicola Manning (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earthquake!: A Story of the San Francisco Earthquake (Once Upon America) (Paperback)

Reason for Reading: Read aloud to the 10yo as part of our history curriculum.

This short historical fiction chapter book takes place over only a moment in time. From the first shakings of the earthquake in 1906 until the morning afterwards the reader joins Philip has he lives through this devastating disaster. The first half of the story focuses on Philip and his family as they struggle with the earthquake and its aftermath along with the shocking sights and sounds as people walk en masse out of the city. The last half concerns Philip as he is left behind to watch the stable while Pa takes Mama and his younger brother to Aunt Eleanor's in a not too distant town for safety. Philip is left to deal with the worst of the situation by himself as the fires rage out of control and ultimately head towards him. He loves the horses and they are his family's livelihood. Will he be able to save them in time?

An entirely plot driven story with continuous action from the get go. It puts one right in the middle of the historical event and was an exciting experience for my son. A good little book that brings history alive.